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Wrecker driver vs tractor-trailer driver

The differences between wrecker drivers and tractor-trailer drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a wrecker driver and a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, a tractor-trailer driver has an average salary of $58,498, which is higher than the $36,820 average annual salary of a wrecker driver.

The top three skills for a wrecker driver include tow vehicles, customer vehicles and rollback. The most important skills for a tractor-trailer driver are DOT, CDL, and OTR.

Wrecker driver vs tractor-trailer driver overview

Wrecker DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Yearly salary$36,820$58,498
Hourly rate$17.70$28.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs620,451690,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Wrecker driver vs tractor-trailer driver salary

Wrecker drivers and tractor-trailer drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Wrecker DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average salary$36,820$58,498
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $52,000Between $40,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Atlanta, GA
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Exel Inc.
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between wrecker driver and tractor-trailer driver education

There are a few differences between a wrecker driver and a tractor-trailer driver in terms of educational background:

Wrecker DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Wrecker driver vs tractor-trailer driver demographics

Here are the differences between wrecker drivers' and tractor-trailer drivers' demographics:

Wrecker DriverTractor-Trailer Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.5% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between wrecker driver and tractor-trailer driver duties and responsibilities

Wrecker driver example responsibilities.

  • Operate rollback auto wrecker to move damage by accident, stall or tick by police for traffic violations.
  • Tow vehicles from accident scenes, trespasses, and repair calls for AAA, dispatch drivers to appropriate calls.
  • Tow and or repair semi truck and trailers break down along Rt.80 in the Logington pa and surrounding area.
  • Provide AAA roadside assistance and tows.respond to city impounds and wrecks.salvage car transportation
  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

Tractor-trailer driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Show more

Wrecker driver vs tractor-trailer driver skills

Common wrecker driver skills
  • Tow Vehicles, 25%
  • Customer Vehicles, 13%
  • Rollback, 9%
  • Tow Truck, 8%
  • Service Stations, 6%
  • Lockout, 4%
Common tractor-trailer driver skills
  • DOT, 38%
  • CDL, 21%
  • OTR, 15%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%
  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

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